Airlines should give us good service. Why do so many flight attendants look angry, stressed, and burned out?

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tboy

Most asian airlines have excellent service. Most flight attendants on European or American airlines are rude...don't know why

Elle

I was a flight attendant in my early 20s for United. Airlines should absolutely give good service, but they rarely do. You can typically find one outstanding employee out of the entire crew. Remember, that good service is something that should be taught from the executives and filter down to the front line employees. If the attendants/CS reps don't give service, it's partially b/c it's not role modeled. I was becoming one of the attendants you mentioned and after 3 years, I jumped ship! I didn't want to be that kind of employee. Trouble is that the airlines have the "golden handcuffs" on their employees, specifically the ones who have been around for 10+ years; they have to consider the pension, their time off for the amount that they get paid, their seniority that they have worked so hard to get, and the flight benefits. If somebody is 50+ years old and all they know is to fly, they wonder, what kind of job can I get at 50? What other skills do I have besides customer service and emergency training? They are burned out, badly. It is unfortunate that these feelings come across to the passengers; however, a good amount of the flying public need lessons in manners. Say a simple, "please/thank you" and that is very much appreciated.

It will be interesting as the years progress b/c you'll have these employees retiring and in today's world, you don't have people lining up around the block to be flight attendants b/c of the public, terrorism, the salary, and major airlines constantly filing for bankruptcy.

Neil

because they are always working so much in flights they rarely ever see their family

thehereyes

think of how many people they have to deal with each day. i sure know that I wouldn't want their jobs.

David B

try the job sometime and youll know.

Taz

probably because they are angry, stressed and burnt out ... honestly i don't know how they do their job ... i'd go crazy ... maybe they need more time off work???

Willi S

They are underpaid and overworked, plus the jetlag

Lele44

Because they have to deal with the public, and some people are so disrespectful and rude.

Stuart A B

Because they're human!

It's not just the sole province of flight attendants.

I encounter angry looking, stressed, and seemingly burned out people in just about every service industry company that I have to deal with these days.

I think it's a sign of the times...

KhanSaab

No offense but u should ask this question to those attendants who are angry (just kidding). I think its more hours of work for low pay / benefits.

Tanker

Because they are, plus majority of these lost their pensions and took pay cuts to keep their job.

little_one23

Being a flight attendant is a very stressful job. Think about it... jetlag all the time!!! And you're not allowed to stop and have a sleep on long haul flights, which often means being awake for an entire day just helping people, running around after them, cleaning up after them. Many people on flight are obnoxious and rude, but the flight attendant must remain calm and be polite to them at all times. If someone insulted you to your face and expected you to do EVERYTHING for them and kept badgering you, can you imagine smiling back at them and being kind? No, I didn't think do. I'm hardly surprised that some of them look annoyed sometimes. Give them a break!!

just me

when people go to the airport port sometimes they complain about the security(taking off their shoes) checking bags) if you try there job you would be the same way

jesus

take orders from the captain take your orders and service you stand on foot up and down if something goes wrong on the air they deal with it or tolerate it.

gilmore girl

they are on the plane standing and walking around for hours. they probably have jet lag too. LOL

2 Happily Married Americans

A few reasons. One, they have to deal with customers who are increasingly rude and nasty with each delay (which is not their fault); Two, there is a daily threat of terrorism in airlines that has got to weigh on their minds; Three, there are more seats and fewer attendants than 20 years ago, so they have more work in a smaller space.

Not all of them are angry, stressed and burned out, but a good share of the travelers are acting more and more impatient as our world gets faster and faster. Relax and enjoy the flight!

musner3

I think there is no one answere because flight attendants are ordinary people just the same as the pilots who fly the airplanes. You are right to notice though. They work in close spaces goin up and down the aisles with the carts and the time is short so they try to make every service as quick as they can. Also it is as the world is more dangerous so is flying with the present danger of a hi jack organization seated with the regular passengers and so they are a little nervous about this to. Here is an example and it is on a flight from U.S.A. to Russia. The flight attendants are serving snacks and beverage from an aisle cart. Some one in the back of the plane snaps a photo and the flight attendant catches the flash of it out of the corner of her eye when she is serving a beverage. I seen it too even though I was facing the front of the plane. Kind of scary even for me.

MLP

Its not easy being cooped up in a small amount of space, and less easy enduring this while on your feet, pushing a cart, catering to others, and keeping your hair in place throughout turbulance. I have found domestic air service personell talkative, full and laughter, and accomodating, though somewhat slow to notice the needs of the passengers. On the other hand, international service personell are angels making you more comfortable, while their bodies must be aching. Angry, I have not seen, Stressed by the endless duties and unseen tasks that they must complete. Burned out by the hours in the sky, number of footsteps they take, and thankless, demanding passengers. MLP

Sturm und Drang

I've found that employers who tend to treat their employees poorly, the employees end up treating their customers poorly. Vice versa if the employer treats their employees well. I think this is part of it since quite a few airlines in the US aren't known as good employers.

The airline industry isn't doing very well right now (look at all the bankruptcy filings in the past few years), so I think it makes it even tougher for the regular airline employees. Especially since a lot of their salaries are getting cut while upper management keeps getting more and more money.

jjjjjjjjj

They look that way because they are. Try being one for awhile.

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